Prentice H. Polk was one of the most influential photographers of his time. Much of Polk’s work was centered around Tuskegee Institute, and celebrated family life, famous national and local individuals, and specific events occurring on campus. Recently, Polk’s family donated to Tuskegee University the photographer’s personal collection, including the copyright for more than 3,800 of his images.

Polk enrolled at what was then the Tuskegee Institute in the early 1920s but because Tuskegee did not offer a program in photography at that time, Polk left the university to study photography in Chicago. In 1927, Polk returned to Tuskegee to open his first studio. And he accepted a faculty position in the institute’s new photography department. He was appointed the school’s official photographer in 1929, and later served as head of the photography department from 1933 to 1938.

Tuskegee University archivist Dana Chandler notes that “the majority of the photos we received had never been seen before, outside of his family. This collection represents some of the finest black-and-white images ever produced — by arguably the greatest African-American photographer.”

Comments (1)

Do you have the photos, images of Walter Scott in the Tuskegee Srchives that you manage? His images would span from the 50’s to the 90’s. His photos should tell the photographic history of Tuskegee consistently over that time period. Please let me know if you have his photos. Thanks

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What statement best reflects your view of the situation regarding the top elected officials in Virginia?

All three should resign.

The governor and attorney general who admitted wearing blackface should resign.